Dozens of people locked down in a Windale unit complex were anxiously awaiting the results of COVID-19 testing on Wednesday night after a fellow resident tested positive to the virus.
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Twenty-nine tenants of the Wesley Mission-managed complex on James Street were tested on Wednesday after a 52-year-old resident who visited Blacktown was confirmed as COVID-positive on Monday night.
The case was one of four in the Hunter announced on Wednesday. There was a case each in Newcastle, Cessnock and Port Stephens, all of which were in isolation.
The state recorded 919 cases and two deaths in the 24 hours to 8pm Tuesday, a spike after daily numbers dropped to 753 on Tuesday.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro had previously indicated the Hunter was unlikely to escape lockdown on Saturday and said on Wednesday the situation in areas with continued COVID cases meant restrictions were likely to continue for "many, many" parts of the state.
"After today's figures and what's happening in Western NSW, the Far West, the surveillance down the South Coast, continued stubborn cases even though low in the Hunter and Central Coast and then of course bigger numbers in the Illawarra, I have no doubt there'll be a level of restrictions for many, many LGAs in regional and rural NSW," he said.
"What we'll now have to consider is how many LGAs aren't impacted and then make a decision. Will we go local government area by local government area?
"We'll take health advice, we'll work through that this afternoon and announce something tomorrow."
Mr Barilaro was surprised hearing about the Windale case who travelled to Blacktown, which is one of 12 hotspot council areas.
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"I can't believe anyone would want to travel into one of the 12 areas of concern, unless it's absolutely necessary and essential," he said.
The Windale case had stayed with a friend in the suburb of Marayong before returning home at the weekend, which public health physician Dr David Durrheim said was "of great concern".
The man was issued a $1000 Penalty Infringement Notice (PIN) on Sunday and told not to leave his apartment.
Police said they checked on him on Tuesday morning but found his condition had deteriorated, so he was taken to hospital for treatment.
Inquiries into the man's visit to Blacktown are ongoing, while a decision on how long the residents will continue in isolation will hinge on test results.
Anyone who visited the apartment complex between Friday night and Tuesday morning has been advised to get tested and isolate.
Following the positive case, Member for Charlestown Jodie Harrison called on Health Minister Brad Hazzard to deliver a targeted vaccination program in Windale. Vaccination rates in the suburb are lower than surrounding areas, with only 20-29 per cent of residents fully vaccinated.
"The government must act quickly to get vaccines into the arms of people living in this community," Ms Harrison said.
"I have written to the Health Minister urging him to act now. Access to vaccines in this area has to be improved.
"I have been watching the vaccination program targeted at suburbs in Western and South Western Sydney, an area of concern, and want to recognise and applaud the hard work of all involved in increasing the vaccination rates occurring there.
"I am urging the Health Minister to do the same for the people of Windale."
Ms Harrison had been contacted about the issue by Windale Gateshead Bowling Club CEO Craig Swan.
He said there were a lot of vulnerable elderly residents and Indigenous people in the suburb, along with many who didn't have access to transport, and a local vaccination hub may make it easier for them to source jabs.
"A vaccination hub is the only way they are going to increase the vaccination rate in the community," Mr Swan said. "We would be happy to open our venue for a hub."
Mr Swan said the latest case would be a concern for many in the community.
"That block is not far from the local shops," he said. "People would be feeling anxious."
When asked about the call for a vaccination hub from Ms Harrison, Mr Barilaro said he would have a look at the matter.
"I've got no problem with that," he said. "What we've done in Wilcannia, what we've done in the Far West, in the Central West, when we have a major outbreak we revisit and we go targeted."
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